The state Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would require all backseat passengers to wear seat belts.
Under current state law, passengers 16 and older only need to wear seat belts in the front seat. But new legislation would also require all backseat passengers to buckle up.
Twenty-nine other states already have laws requiring adult-rear seat belt use.
Experts in the auto industry say backseat passengers are just as vulnerable to injury or even death from a crash.
The bill will now go to the Assembly.